Water births and birth centers

Are they common in Australia? Or available to all "low risk" mothers? Or through private and public care? Or how does it work? What exactly is the birth centre or how different to a hospital is it?
Sorry but no clue!
TIA :-)

Are they common in Australia? Or available to all "low risk" mothers? Or through private and public care? Or how does it work? What exactly is the birth centre or how different to a hospital is it?
Sorry but no clue!
TIA :-)

They're getting more common, and the availability depends entirely on a) facilities and b) midwives qualifications. Most birthing centers have great waterbirth tubs and all the midwives should be certified - the bigger hospitals are starting to as well. I'm from Townsville and the Birth Centre offers waterbirth to everyone that meets their criteria, and the hospital offers it to many more women, depending on the situation and whether there is a waterbirth-qualified midwife on shift. Where are you from?

They're getting more common, and the availability depends entirely on a) facilities and b) midwives qualifications. Most birthing centers have great waterbirth tubs and all the midwives should be certified - the bigger hospitals are starting to as well. I'm from Townsville and the Birth Centre offers waterbirth to everyone that meets their criteria, and the hospital offers it to many more women, depending on the situation and whether there is a waterbirth-qualified midwife on shift. Where are you from?

I'm a FTM and will be attending a birth centre and plan to attempt water birth. The idea of the centre is its basically midwifery run, available to all low risk mothers- ie no GD, no high BP, no BMI over 35 etc etc. throughout pregnancy you meet a team of midwives- ultimately one of them will deliver your baby. You ring in when you meet the criteria (I think it's waters broken naturally between 37wks and 40+10 and contracting 5 mins apart). My birth centre is attached to the hospital so if anything goes wrong, a team comes down. The idea of the centre is that it's as natural as possible and all mother or couple oriented- ie you do exactly what you want to do when and where you want... Within reason of course :) you're not confined to a room, you can go outside, into the bath, into the lounge... Whatever you like. Hope that helps!

I'm a FTM and will be attending a birth centre and plan to attempt water birth. The idea of the centre is its basically midwifery run, available to all low risk mothers- ie no GD, no high BP, no BMI over 35 etc etc. throughout pregnancy you meet a team of midwives- ultimately one of them will deliver your baby. You ring in when you meet the criteria (I think it's waters broken naturally between 37wks and 40+10 and contracting 5 mins apart). My birth centre is attached to the hospital so if anything goes wrong, a team comes down. The idea of the centre is that it's as natural as possible and all mother or couple oriented- ie you do exactly what you want to do when and where you want... Within reason of course :) you're not confined to a room, you can go outside, into the bath, into the lounge... Whatever you like. Hope that helps!

I was booked into the birth centre at William Angliss in Melbourne.It was great, they Do water birth but you must be low risk to birth in the centre.....I found the experience wonderful the midwives were AMAZING...they are really keen on keeping the birth and help you manage pain with positioning and massage....I ended up having to be transferred to delivery because bubs pooped in the waters. But I labored in the birth centre and the midwife came with me to delivery and still delivered y baby drug free..........in regards to public vs. private most private hospitals don't do waterbirth and an OB will deliver your baby, there are also higher intervention rates......if you are interested in the benefits of waterbirth I would suggest you also look into Calmbirth too....I couldn't have done it without Calmbirth

I was booked into the birth centre at William Angliss in Melbourne.It was great, they Do water birth but you must be low risk to birth in the centre.....I found the experience wonderful the midwives were AMAZING...they are really keen on keeping the birth and help you manage pain with positioning and massage....I ended up having to be transferred to delivery because bubs pooped in the waters. But I labored in the birth centre and the midwife came with me to delivery and still delivered y baby drug free..........in regards to public vs. private most private hospitals don't do waterbirth and an OB will deliver your baby, there are also higher intervention rates......if you are interested in the benefits of waterbirth I would suggest you also look into Calmbirth too....I couldn't have done it without Calmbirth

I'm booked in at dandenong hospital. Unfortunately they don't allow you to birth in the water, but they do encourage the bath during labour. At dandy, they have a midwife clinic rather than a birth centre. No OB, just midwives (who are fantastic!) you have all your appointments at their clinic next to the hospital, then go into the actual hospital when you're in labour. Slightly different way of doing it. Hope that helps. Oh, and it's public, so everything is free.

I'm booked in at dandenong hospital. Unfortunately they don't allow you to birth in the water, but they do encourage the bath during labour. At dandy, they have a midwife clinic rather than a birth centre. No OB, just midwives (who are fantastic!) you have all your appointments at their clinic next to the hospital, then go into the actual hospital when you're in labour. Slightly different way of doing it. Hope that helps. Oh, and it's public, so everything is free.

I had a water-birth with my last bub at Geelong public and I can't rave about it enough. St John of god (private in Geelong) doesn't offer water-birth at all from what I've been told. My next bub is due early august and if all goes well, I'll be having another water-birth. I also did calm-birth leading up to his delivery and would highly recommend the techniques to anyone and everyone. I'll be doing a refresher course leading up to this ones birth.

I had a water-birth with my last bub at Geelong public and I can't rave about it enough. St John of god (private in Geelong) doesn't offer water-birth at all from what I've been told. My next bub is due early august and if all goes well, I'll be having another water-birth. I also did calm-birth leading up to his delivery and would highly recommend the techniques to anyone and everyone. I'll be doing a refresher course leading up to this ones birth.

I am having my bub in a birth centre and I have the option of a water birth if I so wish. I am going public and went on a ballot to get in. I am at the royal women's in Brisbane. You have to be low risk to get in and they encourage you to have a "natural" birth without drugs but if you want them they are available. You are cared for by a team of 6 midwives. Whom I have found are all lovely. It is still within the hospital but on a different level to the normal maternity/ birthing suits. So if any complications do occur the OBs are still there and the NICU is too. It is more 'homely' then the normal birthing suits. You get a king bed your own shower/toilet and big spa type thing for water birth and your own fridge. My DH is allowed to stay and sleep in there after the birth. But you only stay in there a max 2 nights if for any reason you are not ready to leave the hospital you get moved to the normal maternity ward. I am due in a week so hopefully soon I will get to birth there and then I can give you more info on the whole experience!

I am having my bub in a birth centre and I have the option of a water birth if I so wish. I am going public and went on a ballot to get in. I am at the royal women's in Brisbane. You have to be low risk to get in and they encourage you to have a "natural" birth without drugs but if you want them they are available. You are cared for by a team of 6 midwives. Whom I have found are all lovely. It is still within the hospital but on a different level to the normal maternity/ birthing suits. So if any complications do occur the OBs are still there and the NICU is too. It is more 'homely' then the normal birthing suits. You get a king bed your own shower/toilet and big spa type thing for water birth and your own fridge. My DH is allowed to stay and sleep in there after the birth. But you only stay in there a max 2 nights if for any reason you are not ready to leave the hospital you get moved to the normal maternity ward. I am due in a week so hopefully soon I will get to birth there and then I can give you more info on the whole experience!

I had my second in the Townsville birth centre and it was awesome. Had a water birth which was a great experience. Birth centre is connected to hospital and it's like a fancy hotel room. My husband could stay the night with me and it was all free :) also my baby was never taken from my sight. had 6 weeks of home visits from my midwife after the birth. I personally found it better than hospital

I had my second in the Townsville birth centre and it was awesome. Had a water birth which was a great experience. Birth centre is connected to hospital and it's like a fancy hotel room. My husband could stay the night with me and it was all free :) also my baby was never taken from my sight. had 6 weeks of home visits from my midwife after the birth. I personally found it better than hospital

Actually I had a waterbirth 7 weeks ago at the Lyell McEwin in Adelaide, the midwives in the low care birthing unit are in the process of getting reaccredited because they changed the laws but so long as you fit the criteria. It was a fantastic experience, the birthing centre is located in the hospital and you get a huge birthing suite with double bed, shower, and the biggest bath (I want one in my house!). We got to stay for about 26 hours after Chelsea was born and the midwives were fantastic. She never left our room, the pediatricians came to our room and did all the checks, and the midwives let us have skin to skin contact after her birth for an hour or so until she had had a feed and a big cuddle before they weighed her and stuff. I couldn't have asked for a better birth!

Actually I had a waterbirth 7 weeks ago at the Lyell McEwin in Adelaide, the midwives in the low care birthing unit are in the process of getting reaccredited because they changed the laws but so long as you fit the criteria. It was a fantastic experience, the birthing centre is located in the hospital and you get a huge birthing suite with double bed, shower, and the biggest bath (I want one in my house!). We got to stay for about 26 hours after Chelsea was born and the midwives were fantastic. She never left our room, the pediatricians came to our room and did all the checks, and the midwives let us have skin to skin contact after her birth for an hour or so until she had had a feed and a big cuddle before they weighed her and stuff. I couldn't have asked for a better birth!

I'm 14 weeks and am currently trying to get into Flinders birth centre in SA. There is a fairly high demand so it might be a good idea to enquire with your local hospital early in your pregnancy. I'm also interested in calm birth but it appears that there are no classes in SA. Does anyone know if there is a DVD/CD for purchase?

I'm 14 weeks and am currently trying to get into Flinders birth centre in SA. There is a fairly high demand so it might be a good idea to enquire with your local hospital early in your pregnancy. I'm also interested in calm birth but it appears that there are no classes in SA. Does anyone know if there is a DVD/CD for purchase?

Hi alsa, yes there is dvd's available. I can't remember the guys name, but ill get back to you if you want. I moved house this weekend and have CRAP everywhere so I'll go on a search and destroy tomorrow to find it. I might even be able to copy mine for you and post to you!

Hi alsa, yes there is dvd's available. I can't remember the guys name, but ill get back to you if you want. I moved house this weekend and have CRAP everywhere so I'll go on a search and destroy tomorrow to find it. I might even be able to copy mine for you and post to you!

Pigletsmum, that is so lovely of you! Great to know there is a DVD out there. Perhaps I'll email the contact address on the website and request a copy - it sounds like you have your hands full unpacking for weeks to come! Hope the move went well and you settle in really soon :)

Pigletsmum, that is so lovely of you! Great to know there is a DVD out there. Perhaps I'll email the contact address on the website and request a copy - it sounds like you have your hands full unpacking for weeks to come! Hope the move went well and you settle in really soon :)

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